Shane Lowry believes Europeans care deeply about the Ryder Cup

When it comes to the Ryder Cup, the Europeans seem to know best.

Recent history proves this overwhelmingly. Europe has dominated the Americans in golf’s greatest event, you know what I mean, and a big reason for that seems to be the disposition that the Europeans carry relative to the event at large.

This is something that was top of mind for me as of late with the World Cup going on. You see the pageantry associated with things like this and how it moves certain fans from across the globe. On some level, on many levels really, that feels bigger than what American sides have going on with respect to things exclusive to our country.

Earlier this week I had a chance to talk to someone who knows best about this in Shane Lowry as it was Shane who sank the winning putt for the Europeans at Bethpage Black. After talking a little World Cup and soccer at large, I’d shared that I was partly rooting for Portugal as a Manchester United fan because of Bruno Fernandes, I asked Shane where he thought that European spirit towards the Ryder Cup and sport at large comes from.

“I don’t know like do we love the Ryder Cup more than the Americans. Possibly. But know they’re very passionate about their country and you know... American are very patriotic people and they love you know playing for that flag. And when it comes to the Ryder Cup, I feel like we try or we in Europe, we play for something that’s bigger than ourselves. We play for like players that have gone before us. We’re playing for our tour.”

“I don’t know if it’s just as simple as we love it more than them. Yeah we’re certainly very passionate about it, but yeah like I said I do know the Americans pretty well and they’re passionate also. And obviously like our our ssoccer football fans are extremely passionate about their sport and you know... I’m a Man United fan as well and I feel like... you know the Premier League is so big... the the Champions League when you know all the European clubs come together is so big I don’t know what it is.”

“I think because in America the Americans love their sport more than any nation that I know. You know there’s always a season of some sort of sport that’s on whether it be the NFL or the NBA or college sports. So yeah I don’t know whether it’s just as easy as we love it more than them but it’s been working for us over the last few years.”

Shane was kind and diplomatic, but I’ll say myself that I do think the Europeans care more than the Americans. This isn’t to say that I think the Americans don’t care, but the connective tissue through so many sporting events that involve their countries all of the time (like the Champions League) make things like the Ryder Cup feel more natural on their end.

In addition to sharing perspective on the Ryder Cup, Shane joined to talk about his new partnership with Stryker in the name of helping joint replacement.

Stryker (NYSE: SYK), a global leader in medical technologies, today announced a new partnership with Major Champion and globally recognized golfer Shane Lowry at the Travelers Championship in Cromwell, Connecticut, naming him a sponsored brand ambassador for its Joint Replacement division. Through this collaboration, Lowry will share a deeply personal story, highlighting the critical role caregivers play in supporting loved ones through joint pain, surgery and recovery.

As a caregiver to his father, Brendan, a former Gaelic football player and knee and hip replacement recipient, Lowry brings a unique perspective, having seen firsthand the impact joint pain has on both patients and their families. Research shows that support from family and caregivers can positively impact recovery and outcomes.1,2 Together with Stryker, Lowry will help raise awareness of the experience someone struggling with joint pain may go through and empower caregivers to take an active role throughout their loved one’s journey, from education to recovery.

“Watching my dad in pain because of his hip and knee was as hard as anything I’ve come across on the course. As a caregiver, you want to help, but it’s not always clear where to start,” said Lowry. “I’ve learned that asking the right questions, finding the right doctor and simply being there along the way can make a big difference. I didn’t realize at the time how many Stryker technologies are out there to support those who suffer from joint pain, and I’m proud to now be partnering with a company helping people to keep moving forward. I hope sharing my story encourages others to take that first step with a loved one.”

Through a global campaign spanning media, social channels and educational initiatives, Lowry will help elevate the role of caregivers and encourage a more proactive engagement in the joint replacement journey. By focusing on awareness, education and access to information, the campaign aims to support caregivers as they help loved ones take the first step, from understanding treatment options to navigating recovery.

“We know joint replacement is more than surgery -- it’s a personal journey that affects both patients and the people who support them every step of the way,” said Katherine Truppi, president of Stryker’s Joint Replacement division. “As we continue to move lives, we also value the essential and often underrecognized role caregivers play in helping loved ones navigate treatment decisions and recovery. Shane’s story brings that perspective to life in an authentic and meaningful way that we hope can help more people.”

Throughout the Travelers Championship, fans are invited to stop by the Fan Zone to learn about treatment options for joint pain.

For more information and downloadable resources, please visit www.MoveLivesTogether.com.

Lowry spoke about, as noted above, how personal of a cause this is for him. It is fantastic to see that Stryker is able to help out in that regard, and hopefully they can help many others as well.